In this
month’s report I would like to wish you all a healthy, pleasant, and safe
holiday season. By the time that you read this we will be fast approaching New
Year’s Eve. We’ll be once again participating in the City of Danbury
First Night Celebration, culminating with the
fireworks display in the rail yard. Time certainly moves quickly at the DRM. It
seems like we were just getting ready to celebrate the last New Year’s Eve
fireworks display in the yard.

Overall
we’ve had a successful year at the Museum with many great achievements both in
the building and in the yard. Compared to previous years our membership numbers
are up, along with our admissions at the front door. The birthday parties, too,
have been successful, and bookings have increased to the point that we have
parties almost every weekend. Attendance has increased at our Wednesday night
slide and video presentations. We now have a group of members on Tuesday nights
building the model train layouts and expanding our exhibits. The Library and
archives have grown to the point of running out of room in the building. This
necessitated opening a storage annex in one of our passenger cars in the yard.
These are certainly successes. Our Gift Shop, too, has grown, with an
ever-increasing variety of merchandise. There is something for everyone within
its walls.

Outside in
the yard we have many challenges to overcome, but they, too, are success
stories. We have several major projects going on with the equipment, and there
is constant progress with them. The wooden NYC
caboose, the RPO, and the CN passenger car will be show pieces for the Museum –
more examples of progress at the Museum.

I always
like to look back and review some of these events and try to praise them and
the people responsible for these successes. Of course, there is always so much
going on it is hard to note them all and to acknowledge everyone involved. We
are a dedicated group, a passionate group, with a commitment level to our cause
that is truly unsurpassed. I honestly wish I could thank you all personally for
what you have all done for the growth of the Museum on a daily basis, but of
course that is almost impossible. I am sure that there are also people working
behind the scenes who don’t get the acknowledgement for what they might do for
our growth. They, of course, also are included in my gratitude.

In closing
this month’s article, I wish you all well. And of course, thank you again for
your commitment to our Museum’s growth during this last year. I am very proud
of what you have all done, working together for this common goal.